Delhi Confidential: Diwali cheer

Union Ministers Amit Shah and Ashwini Vaishnaw are among others joined the Garhwal MP in commemorating a tradition native to the hills of Uttarakhand

BJP MP Anil Baluni’s Igas Bagwa

BJP MP Anil Baluni’s Igas Bagwal celebration at his residence in the Capital on Friday was a star-studded affair. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa among others joined the Garhwal MP in commemorating a tradition native to the hills of Uttarakhand. Igas Bagwal, also known as Budhi Diwali, is celebrated 11 days after Diwali. According to folklore, that’s the time it took for news of Ram’s return from exile to reach the hills.

Surprise Guests

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was greeted with a loud cheer and applause as he entered the Samvidhaan Sadan to attend a programme on the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Friday. Sources close to Gandhi said he had no inkling that school students were invited to the event in Central Hall. On seeing them he decided to interact with the students and sat among them on the benches. He asked them questions about their aspirations and plans.

Senior Among Seniors

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi, though appearing on the same side, were inadvertently pitted against each other on Friday during the hearing of bail pleas of the Delhi riots accused. When Singhvi began the arguments, an amused Justice Aravind Kumar inquired who was senior between the two lawyers as traditionally the senior leads the arguments. Sibal brushed off the query saying seniority didn’t matter. Singhvi said it was a compliment for Sibal and an insult to him.

Campaign Call

Following a “special request” by RJD leader and INDIA bloc’s CM face Tejashwi Yadav, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav will begin campaigning for RJD candidates in Bihar from Saturday and hold back-to-back rallies till November 7, sources said. Akhilesh’s programme is likely to be extended in the state but there is no clarity if he will campaign for Congress candidates as well, the sources said.